USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1918 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
"The High School was added to my schedule this year, and it has proved very satisfactory and I think a necessity as I have the friendly confidence of the girls.
"It was indeed unfortunate we were forced to close our schools in October to avoid the spread of influenza. A number of children were absent this fall on account of colds, though very few cases of influenza were reported of children of school age having the disease.
"We now have a medical card for each child, this is filled out and passed on each year, with the child from grade to grade.
"Pediculosis is on the decrease; and there is only one case of Impetigo at present, this being the only case reported in two years.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
II3
"I would also like to report that through the observation of the Doctor and School Nurse, we were instrumental in having the sight of one child saved. This child had his left eye injured during infancy which resulted in loss of sight to the injured eye. The right eye became infected, and after several calls to the child's home, I succeeded in having his mother consult the family physician. I talked with the physician and he advised a specialist or hospital treatment. We had the child go the Eye and Ear Infirmary, where it was found necessary to remove the left eye in order to save the sight of the right seye.
"During the past few months we were obliged to notify many parents in regard to vaccination as in many instances the vaccine did not take, the parents being asked to consult the family physician and on his advice rested the advisability of revaccination.
"The marked improvement in the majority of the school children along health lines has been most encouraging and I trust satisfactory to the School Board."
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING FORCE
The following changes in the teaching force have taken place during the year :
HIGH SCHOOL Deceased
Principal Charles H. Howe
December 20
Helen W. Poor
October 26
Resigned
Arthur A. Fulton
To enter the Army
Ellen Coles
To teach in Dedham
Addie Bucksey
To teach in Newton
Elections
Raymond S. Dower from Middleboro to Head of Commercial Department Lenora Stiles from Plymouth
Alice Donovan from Framingham
French and English Commercial Department
Marion H. Davis from Laconia, N. H.
French
Resigned
Emma Locke, Lincoln 7-8 Ruby Bassett, Warren Assistant Helen Prescott, Greenwood 7 Louise Pettingill, Greenwood 1 Harriet O. Paine, Prin. Hurd Edward L. Hill, Prin. Franklin Mary Cole, Franklin 1-2 Elsie Smith, Montrose 5-7
To Revere
To Belmont
To Springfield
To be married To Dist. Supt.
To Madison, N. J.
L
II4
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Elections
Charlotte Blanchard from Barre Mae G. McCarthy from Raynham F. Isabel Hicks
Oscar F. Raymond, from Manchester
Warren Assistant. Greenwood 7 Principal, Hurd School Principal, Franklin.
Transfers
Anna A. Hurley, from Lincoln Asst.
Philomena Silva, from Lincoln 1
Mary Dowling, from Montrose 1-4
To Lincoln 7-8 To Greenwood 1
To Franklin 2-3
CONCLUSION
I wish to extend my thanks to all who have co-operated so cordially for the good of the schools, and particularly to the Committee for their sympa- thetic support.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD B. ATWELL
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
The report a year ago noted that a beginning had been made in measuring and weighing the first grade pupils. This was undertaken principally to ascertain if the younger children were undernourished as a result of the re- stricted diet due to the war. The results are sufficiently interesting to warrant publication. The pupils were weighed before very cold weather in the fall and before hot weather in the spring, so that the variation in clothing is not large. Only those weighed and measured on both occasions are included in the table. Average weight, first year pupils, Fall, 45.12 lbs .; Spring, 45.89 lbs. Average height, first year pupils, Fall, 44.91 in .; Spring, 45, 57 in.
By Schools
Fall Weight Spring Weight
Fall Height
Spring Height
Prospect
45.23 lbs.
45.46 lbs.
44.40 inches
45.40 inches
Woodville
46.73
47.48
44.66
66
45.
66
Warren
47.60 66
49.60
46.01
66
46.76
66
Greenwood
44.54
45.60
66
45.37
66
46.21
66
Montrose
45.90
46.21
45.57
46.23
66
Hurd
47.46
48.96
45.95
66
46.66
Franklin
42.36
43.14
43.13
43.81
Hamilton
45.08
45.36
44.33
44.89
66
Lincoln
44.75
66
45.19
45.12
66
45.66
66
1
ITS
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The particularly noticeable things are that the pupils at the Franklin School are considerable under size, both in height and weight, the Lincoln coming second; at Greenwood they are up to the average in height, but under weight; at the Warren they are above the average both in height and weight. The Franklin pupils made an average gain both in height and weight. It is our present intention to follow this through for a few years to see if his condition persists. 1
The study was undertaken in part to determine if there was any relation between under nourishment and failure to win promotion, but nothing of value has been found so far.
The outstanding health problem this year has been the influenza situa- tion, but this is not particularly a school problem, as it is much more far reaching. In addition to complete closure in the fall, indivudal schoolshave been closed for a few days at a time in consequence of it.
A diptheria outbreak of twelve or fifteen cases in the Franklin district was in no way connected with the schools, as it originated during summer vacation, and while several in school had it, no contagion gained entrance to the school.
The School Physician endeavors to keep track, so far as possible, of pupils absent on account of illness, and to keep informed of all cases of con- tagious disease in town. Where pupils are known to be ill and no physician has been called, the School Physician visits the home for the purpose of diagnosis, and to see that proper medical attention is procured.
The School Nurse is an;indispensable assistant in this work. In fact, but for her loyal co-operation and support, the work as now carried on would be impossible.
Respectfully submitted, ·
CHARLES E. MONTAGUE, M.D.
II6.
TOWN OF 'WAKEFIELD
Report of Attendance Officer and Census Enumerator
Mr. W. B. Atwell, Superintendent.
Dear Sir :- I hereby submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1918.
I have investigated such cases as were reported to me and found the. pupils absent for the following reasons:
Sickness
108
Kept out by parents
75
Truants
74
Lack of clothing, shoes, etc.
36
Found on street and taken to school
12
·
Left school
4
Non-registration
4
Left town
7
Employment Cards
9
Tardy
7 .
Factories and stores visited
9
Suspensions
9
Found at home amd taken to school
7
Department of Immigration cases investigated
12
Disturbances at school
5
Home Employment Cards granted
3
Schools visited
15
Miscellaneous .
7
403
Besides investigating the above cases I also canvassed the town for the census of pupils between five and sixteen years of age.
Respectfully,
ALBERT D. CATE, Attendance Officer
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
II7
APPENDIX A
Population Census, 1915
12,726
Average Membership, ending June 1918
2,339.79
Average Membership, ending June 1917
2,388.82
Decrease
49.03
Total Membership, 1918
2,655
Total Membership 1917
2,655
Average Attendance, 1918
2,199.82
Average Attendance, 1917
2,261.64
Per cent of Attendance, 1918
94.02
Per cent of Attendance, 1917
94.05
Length of school year, Sept. 1917 to June 1918
39 weeks
Days lost, stormy weather, holidays, etc .- High Elementary
35 weeks, 3 days
35 weeks
6
Number of regular teachers employed .
82
Total teachers employed
88
DAY SCHOOLS
Cost per pupil, based on average membership for money spent :-
High School
..
..
..
..
..
..
$61.76
Elementary School
..
..
..
..
a
..
..
39.25
Day Schools ..
..
.. ..
..
..
..
..
44.04
Actual length of school year-High Elementary
17 days
20 days
Special teachers employed
APPENDIX B.
Grade
Teacher
12 Day's Attend- ance
|Pupils and 6
Pupils | Pupils between | between 7 and 14 14 and16
Total Enroll- ment
Member- ship
Average | Average [Per. ct.of |12 Day's] Attend- | Attend- Absence ance ance
Tardi- ness
Dismiss- als
High Lincoln
8
Fannie E. Carter
12,735
0)
21
20
42
37.26
35.54
95.38
589
20
17
3
7-8
Emma Locke
9,269
18
10
34
28.26
26.71
94.19
544
37
21
1
7
Eunice W. Fobes
14,053
0
43
2
48
42.49
40.47
95.24
735
62
19
0
6
Clara E. Davidson
11,185
0
37
4
46
35.48
33.78
95.21
591
76
22
9
5-6
M. Emma Vinal
12,268
0
36
41
37.76
35.35
93.61
837
106
36
11
5
J. S. Dyer
14,783
()
17
O
53
46.13
42.45
92.02
1,185
43
19
6
4
Isabel M. Elliot
14,762
0
48
0
51
46.76
42.47
90.82
789
5
11
0
1
3
Bernice E. Hendrickson
12,349
0
41
0
47
37.92
35.47
93.53
853
125
8
7
3-4
Ruth E. Hickey
10,595
0
33
0
36
31.57
30.52
93.50
362
70
7
1
2
Hanna J. Ardill
7,889
1
0
27
1
29
24.13
22.73
94.10
488
47
5
0
2
Mary H. Hawkins
16,777
14
15
0
30
24.97
23.99
96.07
342
39
8
5
2-3
Carolyn Burbank
8,056
0
26
1
30
25.08
23.21
92.54
651
14
14
2
1
Blanche L. Meserve
4,994
33
20
57
44.02
39.63
90.02
553
38
8
1
Philomena C. Silva
4,981
32
19
0)
51
44.70
40.05
89.59
652
54
2
0
8
M. Annie Warren
12,369
0
30
31
27.00
25.57
94.70
486
4.3
27
0
7
Olive M. Brownell
9,511
0
26
32
29.32
27.13
92.53
763
52
24
4
6
Bessie E. David
11,825
0
33
1
39
36.31
34.07
93.83
796
66
29
1
5
Irene F. Norton
12,380
0
35
1
40
36.83
34.82
92.09
709
115
3
5
3-4
Lillian A. Shaffer
10,333
0
34
0
34
32.29
29.53
91.45
734
128
61
0
2-3
Mary E. C. Geagan
12,974
0
10
0
41
40.00
37.16
92.90
991
137
58
0
1
Alice J. Kernan
8,093
26
-4
0
29
24.90
22.74
91.32
711
93
21
0
Hamilton
6
Elizabeth Gardner
7,484
0
22
0
23
22.72
21.56
94.89
467
36
20
4-5
Mary E. Kelly
8,529
0
29
2
31
24.60
24.31
98.82
688
31
18
0
2-3
Florence B. Holt
13,891
0
48
0
46
42.58
40.02
94.24
1,454
86
15
0
1
R. Louise Cone
8,206
19
12
0
31
27.49
24.04
87.44
1,025
32
8
0
Greenwood 8
Josephine H. Rourke
12,527
0
18
18
12
38.01
35.79
94.18
777
34
16
9
7
Helen L. Prescott
10,821
0
30
5
37
33.36
30.91
92.65
857
53
49
6
Lila P. McCormick
10,848
0
34
1
37
33.00
30.99
93.90
706
74
12
2
5
Mary L. Geary
10,194
0
30
2
35
31.76
29.10
91.62
926
48
14
0
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
C. H. Howe
82,061
0
41
204
523
479.67
462.18
96.35
3,082
898
367
8
.
Mary Kalaher
8,954
0
28
735
43
37.29
35.04
94.23
788
34
11
2
Warren
1
7
0
0
Truancy
4
·
3
Laura A. Hart Susie E. Long
11,472
0
36
0
42
35.38 35.68
32.75
91.78
1,027
89
17
2
Gertrude Howland
12,870
1
44
0
52
40.24
36.77
91.37
1,215
61
29
0
2 1
Hurd
7-8
Harriet O. Paine
12,022
0
25
20
39
36.25
94.15
741
145
85
5
5-6
Eva E. Howlett
11,437
0
35
0
36
34.45
32.49
94.31
691
66
43
0
Marion F. Clapp
11,569
0
40
1
41
35.86
32.86
91.63
1,056
41
56
0
Lydia M. Sullivan
12,038
18
21
0
40
38.28
34.09 22.63
94.40
445
39
17
1
Edith Fish
12,435
0
42
1
43
34.62
33.14
95.72
521
19
11
3
6
Marion Ellis
10,330
0
31
1
33
30.45
29.43
96.65
361
44
5
Gertrude C. Sullivan
13,589
0
44
00
48
43.39
41.09
94.69
808
96
21
2
3
Katherine L. Kelly
12,964
0
36
0
42
38.84
36.93
92.50
673
64
22
5
2
Ruth Willey
12,747
16
23
1
2
0
46
41.68
38.37
92.05
1,166
43
6
0
1-2
Mary G. Cole
11,076
0
52
0
52
32.81
31.25
95.24
1,142
102
54
17
Woodville
3-4
Isabel C. Hill
12,530
0
40
1
41
38.24
36.74
96.07
621
101
10
2
1-2
Ellen T. Connorton
13,429
15
33
0
0
24
2
27
24.44
23.10
94.51
446
14
17
0
Montrose
5-6-7
Mary T. Dowling
10,894
13
25
0
40
33.51
31.13
92.62
802
103
45
West Ward 3-4
Mabel A. Kernan
11,479
0
34
0
36
34.10
32.46
95.19
571
120
19
1
1-2
Addie R. Crosman
12,047
25
18
0
41
36.59
33.96
92.71
925
170
28
0
Total
679,576
290
1,656
321
2,655
2339.79
2199.82
94.02
44,816
4,433
1,531
125
0
39
0
42
53
46.22
41.80 34.13
90.40
1,545
75
5
0
Louise Pettingill
14,632
33
16
0
Franklin
Eliza V. Coburn
7,036
0
25
2
27
23.97
38.71
95.62
621
13
7
0
4
Maude L. Arnold
14,425
0
46
57
39.37
36.31
92.22
1,085
136
4
0
1
Alleda T. Neal
13,327
44
1
5
44
41.38
39.58
95.65
868
64
16
4
44
40.48
88.91
1,474
77
11
0
3-4 1-2 8 7
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
II9
55
57
0
32.77
92.88
881
11,452
1-2-3-4
Elsie L. Smith
8,080
I20
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
APPENDIX C School Organization SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Willard B. Atwell, 1911, Brown University SUPERINTENDENT'S CLERK Gertrude V. Lofstrom
LIST OF REGULAR TEACHERS TO DATE
Name
Grade
Date of
Where Educated
first election
High School
George Dickey, B. S.
Sub-Master Assistant
1917
Worcester Tech.
Raymond S. Dower
1918
Northampton Commercial Coll.
Elizabeth Ingram
1881
Smith Colleget
Helen Gilmore
1913
Boston University+
Ethel G. Reed, A. B.
1911
Tufts College
*Norman Mansur, A. B.
1916
Boston University
Leonora Stiles, Ph. B.
1918
University of Vermont
Grace Emerson, A. B.
1911
Boston University
Gertrude Butler, A. B.
1917
Brown University
Alfred Preble, B. S.
1913
Tufts College
Genevive I. Elmer
1916
Middlebury, College, Vt.
Marion Davis, A. B.
1918
Tufts College
Hazel M. Andrews, A. B.
1917
Syracuse University
A. Irene Goddard, A. B.
1915
Boston University
Camilla M. Moses, A. B.
1910
Radcliffe College
Anne Carroll, A. B.
1913
Barnard College
Margaret A. Ryan, A. B.
1905
Boston University
M. Alice Ryan
1902
Simmons College
Harriet M. Bigelow
1915
Fitchburg Normal
Alice Donovan
1918
Salem Normal
Isabelle M. Hirst
Drawing
1916
Mass. Normal Art
Mildred Ashley
Clerk
1918
Middleboro High
*On leave of absence during War.
Lincoln
T. Frank Shea
Principal
1902
Westfield Normal
Fannie E. Carter
8
1886
Millbury High
Anna A. Hurley
7-8
1914
Lowell Normal
Eunice W. Fobes
7
1904
Farmington Normal
M. Emina Vinal
5-6
1913
Bridgewater Normal
Clara Davidson
6
1907
Truro Prov. Normal
Jeasie S. Dyer
5
1900
Quincy Training
Isabel M. Elliot
4
1900
Wakefield High
Ruth Hickey
3-4
1914
Salem Normal
Bernice Hendrickson
2-3
1908
Salem Normal
Mary I. Hawkins
2
1896
Southboro High
Hannah J. Ardill
2
1892
Salem Normal
Carolyn M. Burbank
1
1915
Plymouth, N. H., Normal
Blanche Meserve
1
1917
Hyannis Normal
Warren
M. Annie Warren
Principal 8
1871
Wakefield High
Charlotte Blanchard
Assistant
1918
Symonds College t
Mary Kalaher
7 7-8
1913
Boston University ;
Bessie David
6
1907
Bridgewater Normal
Irene F. Norton
5
1908
Hyannis Normal
Lillian A. Shaffer
4
1908
Hyannis Normalt
Mary E. C. Geagan
1-2
1906
Lowell Normal
Alice J. Kernan
1
1890
Wakefield High
66
66
66
1888
Salem Normal
Olive Brownell
I2I
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Greenwood
Ross Vardon
Principal
1910
Bridgewater Normal
Josephine Rourke
1916
Lowell Normal
Mae G. McCarthy
7
1918
Bridgewater Normal
Lila P. McCormick
6
1891
Wheaton Seminary
Mary L. Geary
5
1914
Salem Normal
Laura A. Hart
4
1910
Framingtham Normal
Susie E. Long
3
1907
Castine Normalt
Gertrude Howland
2
1913
Hyannis Normal
Philomena Silva
1
1917
Hyannis Normal
Franklin
Oscar F. Raymond
Principal
1918
Bridgewater Normal
Eliza V. Coburn
8
1912
Salem Normal
Edith Fish
7
1916
Bridgewater Normal
.
Marion deC. Ellis
6
1908
Emerson College Oratory
Gertrude C. Sullivan
5
1913
Fitchburg Normal
Maude L. Arnold
4
1899
Salem Normal
Katherine L. Kelly
3
1894
Salem Normal
Ruth Willey
2
1917
Salem Normal
Alleda T. Neal
1
1915
Kindergarten Normal T. S.
Mary T. Dowling
2-3
1912
Salem Normal
Hester Walker
Assistant
1917
Salem Normal
Hamilton
Elizabeth Gardner
Principal 5-6
1898
Calais, Me., High
Mary E. Kelly
3-4
1884
Wakefield High
Florence B. Holt
2-3
1911
Page Kindergarten
R. Louise Cone
1
1917
Miss Wheelock's K. T. S.
Hurd
F. Isabel Hicks
Principal 7-8
1918
Framingham Normal
Eva E. Howlett
5-6
1880
Salem Normal
Marion F. Clapp
3-4
1915
Hyannis Normal
Lydia Sullivan
1-2
1916
Fitchburg Normal
Woodville
Isabel C. Hill
Principal 3-4
1917
Miss Wheelock's K. T. S. Framingham Normal
Montrose
Mrs. Ida Low
Principal, 4-5-6-7 1918
Mrs. Bertha Phipps
1-2-3
1918
Wakefield High
Prospect
Mabel A. Kernan
Principal 3-4 1-2
1899
Wakefield High
Addie R. Crossman
1899
Wellesley College t
Mrs. Myrta Knight
Per Substitute
1910
Salem Normal
¡Not a graduate
.
Ellen Connorton
1-2.
· 1917
I22
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
SPECIAL TEACHERS
Name
Grade
Date of first election
Where Educated
C. Albert Jones Marjorie Brownell Pearson
Supervisor Music
1912
Boston Conservatory
Louise U. Ekman
Teacher of Sewing
1909
Woburn Industrial School, Teachers' Course, Symonds Mass. Normal Art
Eleanor Blaikie
Physical Instructor 1917
John McMahon
Military Instructor
1909
A Co., 6th Inf. M. V. M.
Dr. C. E. Montague
Mary K. English
School Physician School Nurse
Albert D. Cate
Attendance Officer, Census Enumerator
JANITORS
Name
School
Residence
Edward E. Eaton
High
31 Park Street
Charles E. Newman
Lincoln
13 Otis Street
Albert Heath
Warren
40 Gould Street
William P. Mansfield
Hamilton
G. A. Anderson
Greenwood
8 Berlin Terrace Warren Avenue
W. W. Shedd
Hurd
25 Cordis Street
Albert A. Mansfield
Franklin
8 Summer Street
Henry Oliver
Woodville
Nahant Street
Lewis Hatch
Montrose
237 Salem Street
T. John Ardill
Prospect
8 Fairmount Avenue
Sup'v'r Draw., Grades 1915
Mass. Normal Art
Joseph H. Fanck
Teacher Industrial Arts 1913
Sargent School
123
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
APPENDIX D COST OF PUBLIC DAY AND EVENING SCHOOLS, 1918
Support
Day Schools
Total
High
Elem.
Evening Schools Elem.
P. Arts
General Expenses :
Supt. of Schools and Attendance
Officer, Salaries .
$3,052.78
Other Expenses
277.89
School Com., Clerk
862.00
Other Expenses
771.75
Expenses of Instruction :
Supervisors' Salaries
1,550.00
Principals' Salaries .
9,816.64
$2,350.00 20,851.53
44,121.98
467.50 $255.54
Text Books
1,957.04
680.73
1,276.31
Supplies
2,946.42
1,009.14
1,937.28
Expenses of Operating School Plant:
Janitors' Service
6,203.07
1,315.19
4,772.28
68.98
46.62
Fuel
9,403.18
987.74
8,293.20
49.63
72.61
Misc. Ex. of Operation
834.68
207.34
627.34
Maintenance :
Repairs and Up-Keep .
3,826.72
355.99
3,470.73
F
Auxiliary Agencies :
Promotion of Health
1,200.83
Agriculture
1,202.47
1,202.47
Miscellaneous
325.67
Outlay :
New Equipment
514.12
7.70
506.42
Permanent Improvements
124.75
124.75
Miscellaneous Expenses :
Evening School
·
15.45
15.45
Total Expenditures for all School
Purposes
$110,582.01 $28,967.83 $72,473.93
$724.56
$374.77
$7,343.64
$123.00
Teachers' Salaries
65,696.55
124
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
APPENDIX E HOW A SCHOOL DOLLAR IS SPENT
9
10
8
7
C 9
123 4 5
1. Practical Arts
2. Permanent Improvements and New Equipment
3. Evening School 0.0063
4. Office Expenses, including clerk hire, all telephones, travelling expenses 0.0148
5. Miscellaneous: Water, Light, Janitors' Supplies
0.0149
6. Repairs
0.0346
7. Books and Supplies
0.0454
8. Janitors .
0.0550
9. Fuel
0.0840
10. Salaries: Supt., Attend Officer, Teachers, School Physician, Nurse, Agriculture
0.7356
.
$0.0036
0.0058
$1.00
I25
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Report of Municipal Light Board
The Wakefield Municipal Light Commission presents herewith the twenty-fifth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1918. The details in connection with the operation of the Plant`may be obtained by reference to the Report of the Manager.
On account of the general conditions due to the war as well as' to con- ditions in connection with our Organization, the year has been one calling for much care and extra work on the part of all connected with the Plant, and we believe that the coming year will be much more favorable in every way than the year that has passed.
The use of gas and electricity is still increasing, especially has the use of electricity for power increased during the year.
On bills for gas dated March first, there was an increase in rates from $1.20 per thousand feet net to $1.35 per thousand feet net, or 1212%, but no increase was made in connection with the rates for electricity. On account of further increase in labor, coal, gas, oil, etc., it was decided that a further advance in rate should be made, and on all bills dated February 1, 1919 the rate for gas was placed at $1.50 net, making a 25% increase above the rate of $1.20. The rate for electricity was increased from 10c per KWH net to 12c per KWH net, which is 20%. The increase in electricity is due to the fact that the rate in the new contract made with the Edison Company in October 1918, not only had a coal clause in it, basing the rate on the current price of coal, but they have made also an arbitrary advance of 10%.
There have been two increases in connection with the labor; one of a little over 10% when the price of $2.75 per day was advanced to $3.05, and a second advance of 20%, making this labor $3.65 per day. Men working in the retort house making gas have been advanced from $3.00 per day to $4.00 per day which is 33 1-3%.
In the Spring of 1918 our former Manager, Mr. Sidney L. Cole was taken ill and the Board granted him a leave of absence. His work was divided up among the Organization and Dr. Curtis L. Sopher, a former Commissioner, very kindly offered his services to help out in the emergency and the Com- mission and the Town are under very great obligations to him for the assistance he gave. Mr. Cole returned to his work on August first, but again was taken ill in November and presented to the Board his letter of resignation. He was granted a leave of absence until December first when his resignation was accepted. The Board was very fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. Charles S. Spaulding, a former Manager of the Plant, for this position, and he began his work on January 1, 1919.
ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT
From the fact that we are buying current, there are only minor things to be done in connection with this Department. The switchboard has been reset in the center of the room and new switches have been installed. Follow-
I26
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ing a practice which has maintained in private companies, a part of the electrical meters have been tested by an expert and more will be tested this year, so that in the future all of the electrical meters will be tested at stated periods.
STREET LIGHTING
The Town is lighted by four different circuits running from the Plant to different parts of the town in addition to the circuit supplying the lights in the square. It is desirable to re-arrange these circuits changing many of the loops. One circuit has already been re-arranged and it is in the interest of economy to do this work in connection with all the circuits as soon as practical.
There have been installed this year seven sixty-candle-power lights; One on Parker Road, Morrison Road West, Main Street between Lowell and Pine, Fitch Court, Hanson, corner of Grove and two on Richmond Street. The single 200-candlepower light at the Main Street Railroad crossing has been replaced by two 100-candlepower lights, one on each side of the crossing.
POLE LINES
The policy of putting the poles and lines in as good condition as possible and keeping them so will be maintained in the future as in the past. On account of general conditions no extensive work has been done this year.
GAS DEPARTMENT ·
There have been no large repairs needed in connection with the gas plant. The use of gas is increasing and one manufacturing plant has installed a system whereby he can heat his factory by the use of gas in case it is desirable and necessary to do so.
An apparatus to be used for testing the gas as to the number of thermal units contained has been installed, so we can conform to the law of making gas to the standard as to British thermal units required by the State.
On account of the coal situation, as much coal as possible was purchased during the summer and fall of 1918, so that if we had adverse conditions this winter similar to last winter we would have had coal enough on January first to have carried us well into the spring. This will in part account for the increase in unpaid bills.
The question of gas leakage has had serious consideration, and every effort will be made this year to reduce this leakage as far as possible. This leakage in the high pressure to Greenwood in addition to a serious stoppage in the supply pipe will account for poor service that the consumers had in Greenwood during a part of the year.
127
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
FIRE ALARM
On account of general conditions, only necessary repairs have been made to the fire alarm system. A new box was installed at the Light Plant and numbered 62, and box 29 was installed on Fairmount Avenue near Curve Street. The tapper for the use of the chief of the fire department, was removed from Crescent Street and installed in his home on Otis Street. A tapper was also installed in the office of the:Chief of Police.
The organization has worked harmoniously and faithfully during the year.
It may be of interest to compare the following figures in order to show the growth of the business. The organization through increased efficiency, has taken care of this growth and the work in all departments is being done fully as well, if not better than ever before in the history of the Plant. The receipts for 1895 the first full year of the operation of the Plant was $17,922.46. For the year 1918 they were $110,430.50. The expenditures in 1895 were $21,401.62 and for the year 1918, $131,029.53. The town began the operation of the Plant in 1894 and have operated it twenty-four complete years. The State required a depreciation of the physical part of the plant every year. This means that the value of the plant as it stands to-day is practically its true value and the inflated value given it in 1894 has been eliminated. The value of the real estate and electric plant in 1895 was $46,956.74, in 1918 it is $24,310.77.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.